Introduction to Colorado News Media
Colorado is a western US state that encompasses most of the southern Rocky Mountains, the northeastern side of the Colorado Plateau and the western side of the Great Plains. It shares borders with Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
In 2019, Colorado’s population was estimated at 5,758,736, which was 14.5 per cent more than the 2010 United States Census.
Native Americans have indebted the region for more than 13,000 years.
History of Colorado Newspapers
On April 23, 1859, two newspapers Rocky Mountain News and Cherry Creek Pioneer started publishing in Colorado. William Byers, Thomas Gibson and John Dailey are credited for starting Rocky Mountain News, while Cherry Creek Pioneerwas started by John Merrick. Byers bought all the shares of Rocky Mountain News in 1870. Cherry Creek Pioneer could not last for more than one issue.
Later on, August 6 in the same year, Rocky Mountain Gold Reporter & Mountain City Herald started publishing in Colorado. In the next month, Western Mountaineer came out of the same press in Golden city.
First Daily Newspaper in Colorado
Colorado’s first daily newspaper – Daily Herald and Rocky Mountain Advertiser came into existence on May 1, 1860. In September, Rocky Mountain News also became a daily publication.
From 1926, E. W. Scripps Company-owned Rocky Mountain News until its closing on February 27, 2009. According to 2006 Top 100 Daily Newspapers in the U.S. by Circulation compiled by BurrellesLuce, the Monday to Friday circulation of the newspaper was 255,427 in 2006.
Current Publications
According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, The Denver Post is the highest circulated newspaper in the region with 412,669 subscribers.
This article will discuss in detail the top newspapers & news websites in Colorado. Let’s get going!
If you are looking for exclusive information on the US newspapers or Denver Newspapers, we have a separate article written on that.
The Denver Post
The Denver Post is a daily newspaper in Colorado, catering to the residents of Denver. The paper was established in 1892 and is currently owned by Digital First Media. With a daily circulation of 134,537 copies, and 253,261 copies on Sundays (As of 2016), The Denver Post is a prominent newspaper in the state.
Westword
Westword is a free alternative weekly news publication in Denver owned by Voice Media Group. Established in 1977, the paper today publishes both a printed edition & an online edition. Both the printed & online edition primarily focuses on reporting local news & updates from Denver.
The Colorado Sun
The Colorado Sun is an online news website owned by Eight former employees of The Denver Post. Though the news outlet is headquartered in Denver, it covers news & updates from all of Colorado and has a prominent presence.
The website covers all facets of news & updates from Colorado and has dedicated sections for news, Colorado politics, podcasts, opinion, outdoor, latest news, economy, headlines, education, and entertainment.
The one thing that separates The Colorado Sun from other online news outlets is that they don’t accept an advertisement. Instead, the news publication operates solely from contributions & subscriptions.
Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs Gazette is an award-winning news publication in Colorado catering to the residents in Colorado Springs, El Paso county. The paper was established in 1946 and is currently owned by Clarity Media Group.
While the newspaper as we see it today was founded in 1946, it was originally published as the Out West in 1872. Out West failed in its endeavour & was relaunched as the Colorado Springs Gazette in 1873.
Apart from the printed edition, Colorado Springs Gazette also publishes an online news website, mobile applications, a weekly publication named Shopper, a weekly military newspaper, and a parenting magazine.
Colorado Springs Gazette Online
The Aspen Times
The Aspen Times is a daily newspaper in Colorado catering to the residents of the ski resort town of Aspen. The paper was established in the year 1881 as the Aspen Weekly Times and is currently owned by Swift Communications. It was initially launched as a weekly newspaper and was later converted to a daily publication in 1988.
Other than the printed edition, The Aspen Times also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for news including local, business, crime, regional, weather, obituaries, sports & entertainment. The Aspen Times also publishes an e-edition of the paper that can be accessed for free from their website.
Daily Camera
Daily Camera is a daily newspaper in Colorado serving the residents of Boulder County. Established in the year 1890, the paper is currently owned by Digital First Media. Today apart from the daily printed edition, Daily Camera also publishes an online news website and an e-edition.
The Coloradoan
The Coloradoan is a daily newspaper in Coloradoowned by Gannett. The paper was established in 1873 by Joseph L. McClelland and is today a prominent publication in the state. It was initially launched as the Larimer County Express and over the years underwent a series of name changes until it was renamed The Coloradoan.
Apart from the printed edition, The Coloradoan also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for the latest news, sports, top headlines, business news, opinion, and obituaries. They also publish an e-edition that can be accessed by the paid subscribers from the paper’s official website.
Vail Daily News
Vail Daily News is a free daily newspaper in Colorado owned by Swift Communications. The paper was launched in 1981 by Jim Pavelich & Jon Van Housen and it today caters to the Colorado communities of Vail, Avon, Edwards, Beaver Creek, and Minturn, the area ski resorts, and greater Eagle County.
Other than the daily printed edition, Vail Daily News also publishes an online news website & an e-edition.
Summit Daily News
Summit Daily News is a free daily newspaper in Colorado serving the residents of Summit County. The paper was established in 1989 by Jim Pavelich and was acquired by Swift Communication in 1994. As per the paper’s official website, they have a daily circulation of about 8,500 copies.
Other than the printed edition of the paper, Summit Daily News also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for the local news business, sports, opinion, magazines, classifieds, and more.
Steamboat Pilot & Today
Steamboat Pilot & Today is a daily newspaper owned by Swift communications catering to the residents of Routt County in Colorado. The paper was established in 1885 as the Steamboat Pilot and it later merged with The Routt County Sentinel in 1927, and with The Oak-Creek Times-Leader in 1944. It was in 1989, the paper was renamed to Steamboat Pilot & Today as seen today.
Other than the printed edition of the paper, Steamboat Pilot & Today also publishes an online news website and an e-edition.
Steamboat Pilot & Today Online
Steamboat Pilot & Today ePaper
Steamboat Pilot & Today Android App
Steamboat Pilot & Today iOS App
Rocky Mountain Collegian
Rocky Mountain Collegian is a daily student newspaper published by the students of the Colorado State University. Established in the year 1891, it is the only student-run newspaper in the state. It is a non-profit publication & is published four days a week during the regular fall and spring semesters.
Being a student publication, the paper mainly focuses on covering news & updates about Colorado State University. Apart from the printed edition, Rocky Mountain Collegian also publishes an online news website.
Rocky Mountain Collegian Online
Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Glenwood Springs Post Independent is a daily newspaper in Colorado catering to the residents of Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Parachute. The paper was established in 2000 and is currently owned by Swift Communications.
Other than the daily printed edition, Glenwood Springs Post Independent also publishes an online news website covering local news, community news, sports, business, weather updates, opinion, entertainment news & more. They also publish an e-edition of the paper that can be accessed by paid subscribers from the website.
Glenwood Springs Post Independent Online
Glenwood Springs Post Independent ePaper
The Durango Herald
The Durango Herald is a daily newspaper in Colorado catering to the residents of Southwest Colorado. The paper was established in 1881 as the Herald and it underwent a series of mergers & acquisitions until it was renamed The Durango Herald.
As of 2021, the paper is owned by Ballantine Communications and they currently publish an online news website & an e-edition. While most contents on the website are available to the users for free, access to e-edition is restricted to paid subscribers.
The Durango Herald Android App
Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Glenwood Springs Post Independent is a daily newspaper in Colorado serving the residents of Garfield County and the municipalities of Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, New Castle, Silt, Rifle and Parachute. The paper was established in 2000 and it is currently owned by Swift Communications.
Apart from the daily printed edition, Glenwood Springs Post Independent also publishes an online news website and an e-edition. While readers can access the contents on the website for free, access to e-edition is restricted to paid subscribers.
Glenwood Springs Post Independent Online
Glenwood Springs Post Independent ePaper
High Country News
High Country News is a non-profit media organization in Colorado primarily focussed on covering environmental issues faced by the Western United States, from as far west as at the seashore of the California Ballona Wetlands.
Established in 1970, the paper has a subscription base of 35,000 (as of 2017). High Country News also publishes an online news website with sections for climate, public lands, indigenous affairs, water, immigration & more.
Greeley Tribune
Greeley Tribune isa newspaper in Colorado published four days a week. The paper was first established in 1870 by Nathan Meeker who was an agriculture writer for Horace Greeley at the New York Tribune. The paper was quick to gain popularity and over the years it underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions. As of 2021, the paper is owned by MediaNews Group and it serves Greeley, Evans, Windsor and neighbouring communities.
Ski-High News
Ski-High News is a free bi-weekly newspaper in Colorado published on Wednesdays & Fridays. The paper was established in 1945 and it first hit the newsstands on November 2nd of the same year.
Since its inception, Ski-High News has remained the primary source for news and information in Grand County. It mainly caters to the residents of the Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling. Other than the bi-weekly printed edition, Ski-High News also publishes an online news website.
Colorado Springs Independent
Colorado Springs Independent is a weekly newspaper in Colorado catering to the residents of Pikes Peak region of Southern Colorado including El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo counties. The paper was established in 1993 and it is currently owned by John Weiss.
Other than the weekly printed edition, Colorado Springs Independent also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for news, food & culture, opinion, events, promotions, multimedia & more.
Colorado Springs Independent Online
Colorado Springs Independent ePaper
Longmont Times-Call
Longmont Times-Call is a daily newspaper in Colorado owned by Prairie Mountain Publishing. Established in 1931, the paper currently covers local, regional, national, & world news and caters to the readers in Boulder & Weld counties. Apart from the printed edition, Longmont Times-Call also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for news, sports, opinion, & more.
Longmont Times-Call Android App
Denver Business Journal
Denver Business Journal is the Denver edition of the famous American business journal, The Biz Journals. It is an online publication and primarily covers news & updates on the business sector of Denver. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, lists & leads, people & companies, events, and more.
Denver Business Journal Online
Denver Business Journal iOS App
The Colorado Independent
The Colorado Independent is an independent media organization that was established in 2006. It is an online news publication and it primarily covers state politics and policy issues such as the economy, education, the environment, energy development, criminal justice, social justice, and more.
The Colorado Independent Online
Aspen Daily News
Aspen Daily News is a daily newspaper in Colorado owned by Paperbag Media. Established in 1978, the paper currently caters to the residents of Aspen in Pitkin county. Other than the daily printed edition, Aspen Daily News also publishes an online news website covering local, business, sports & entertainment news, obituaries, lifestyle, and more.
Reporter-Herald
Reporter-Herald is a daily newspaper in Colorado covering local, regional, & national news. The paper was established in the 1950s and as of 2020, it is owned by Prairie Mountain Publishing. Other than the daily printed edition, Reporter-Herald also publishes an online news website and an e-edition.
Pueblo Chieftain
Pueblo Chieftain is a daily newspaper in Colorado covering news & updates from Pueblo Chieftain. The paper was established in 1868 by Dr Michael Beshoar, and is currently owned by Gannet.
Other than the daily printed edition, Pueblo Chieftain also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, opinion & more. They also publish an e-edition, the access to which is restricted to paid subscribers.
Boulder Weekly
Boulder Weekly is an alternative weekly newspaper in Colorado owned and published by Stewart Sallo. The paper was established in 1993 and as of 2018, it had a circulation of 35,000 copies. Apart from the weekly printed edition, Boulder Weekly also publishes an online news website.
Cañon City Daily Record
Cañon City Daily Record is a daily newspaper in Colorado owned by Prairie Mountain Publishing. Firstestablished in 1978 the paper today covers local, regional, national and world news. Other than the daily printed edition, they also publish an online news website & an e-edition.
Cañon City Daily Record Online
Cañon City Daily Record ePaper
Cañon City Daily Record Android App
Cañon City Daily Record iOS App
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel is a daily newspaper in Colorado owned by Seaton Publishing. Established in 1893, the paper has over the years grown to become the largest daily newspaper in western Colorado. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel also publishes an online news website with and an e-edition.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Online
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ePaper
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Android App
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel iOS App
Aurora Sentinel
Aurora Sentinel is a weekly newspaper in Colorado catering to the readers in the city of Aurora. The paper was established in the year 1971 and is currently owned by the Aurora Media Group. Other than the printed edition of the paper, Aurora Sentinel also publishes an online news website.
Broomfield Enterprise
Broomfield Enterprise is a weekly newspaper in Colorado serving the residents of the Broomfield city. The paper was established in the 1970s and is currently owned by Prairie Mountain Publishing. Other than the weekly newspaper, Broomfield Enterprise also publishes an online news website and an e-edition.
Broomfield Enterprise Android App
Boulder BizWest
Boulder BizWest is a monthly business newspaper in Colorado primarily serving its northern regions. The paper is currently owned by the BizWest Media and they also publish an online news website. Unlike the monthly printed edition, the website is regularly updated with the latest news & updates.
Fort Morgan Times
Fort Morgan Times is a daily newspaper in Colorado owned by Prairie Mountain Publishing. Established in 1884, the paper primarily caters to the readers in Fort Morgan with the local, regional & national news.
Conclusion
The newspapers & news websites mentioned in this article are the top news publications that are currently in circulation in Colorado and they are not the complete list. As of 2021, there are about 240 newspapers & news websites in Colorado. Out of these, The Denver Post with a circulation of 416,000 copies is the largest newspaper in Colorado in terms of circulation and the Loveland Reporter-Herald is the smallest in terms of circulation.
The condition of newspapers in Colorado is no different from that of the other states. Colorado newspapers too are battling a drastic drop in circulation which has impacted is revenue from circulation and advertisements. The already limping newspaper industry in Colorado took another serious hit with the Covid-19 pandemic which led to revenue from advertisements dropping almost to nil.
In an effort to stay afloat, some Colorado newspapers have merged with their competitors, some has cut down their print schedule, and some others have fully switched to digital publications.
While the Media industry knows no bounds, we at MediaBuzz are working hard to provide comprehensive coverage of all the news sources. We are a team of professional writers with a knack for the trends in the world of journalism.
We can do a lot more with your support!
Would you mind helping us find answers to some questions?
- What are the top three newspapers in Colorado?
- How well do you think the local newspapers are doing in Colorado?
- Did we miss any deserving newspaper or news website?
- Which is the best newspaper in Colorado for business, entertainment, and sports news?
- Do you have any other information for us related to newspapers in Colorado?
- Are there any newspapers in Colorado that went bankrupt?
- Which Newspaper do you read from the list?
- Are there any newspapers in Colorado that went fully digital?
Please drop your answers in the comments section below. We are thanking you in advance!
Hey reader, can we grab your attention for a minute?
We are always looking for people with a media/journalism/mass communication background to contribute more articles. If you are an expert in the Colorado media industry, can you help us make this article better?
We are also looking for companies/people who wish to sponsor this article and empower us to research and cover more valuable information about the Colorado media.
For more details, please contact us at mediabuzz.org@gmail.com